New mothers are often flooded with emotions and overwhelmed by new responsibilities. The early phase of motherhood is a joyful but stressful and even lonely time for some women.

Leonie North Alaeddine remembers those days well. While taking a leadership class last year, the Southeast Portland mother of two decided she wanted to offer some support for new mothers. The result: a free booklet called "To Mama with Love: Wisdom, encouragement and resources for new mothers."

The book is a handy guide with advice from professionals who work with new moms and lists of helpful parenting websites and resources. Alaeddine said she asked a wide range of women, including therapists, lactation consultants and doctors, for their advice for moms.

Her question was simple: What would you like to tell new mothers?

"I wanted to make something that is a gift to new mothers, that will help them feel less alone, something that is pretty and something that is manageable," said Alaeddine, who describes herself as a mostly stay-at-home mom who helps her husband manage his business.

She said new moms encounter a blizzard of advice. It's hard to figure out which websites to trust and which parenting books to rely on. So her booklet offers lists of blogs, books and local websites, shops and professionals that cater to parents.

Her own struggles with postpartum depression and her volunteer work with Baby Blues Connection, a mom-to-mom service for new mothers struggling with depression, helped shape the book's message: New moms shouldn't feel alone.

"I think it all stems from the fact that for 99 percent of us the transition into motherhood is the biggest change in our lives," Alaeddine said. "Of course it will bring things up. There will be questions. This book was another way to ease such a profound transition."

Alaeddine said everyone who contributed to the guide donated their time.